The Far North region of Cameroon has over the years been on the target list of the Islamist sect Boko Haram. The deadly bouts have been on for close to 7 years leaving thousands dead and others simply termed internally displaced. The offensive attacks have had tremendous disadvantage to the local population especially children and mothers who are helplessly, often used as suicide bombers. The habitual occurrences of these attacks have kept civilians in the dark and pace for development kept significantly below the radar.
An attack was launched in the region leaving two persons dead, late January 2020. Abissi. a student and His Majesty Modou Cheriou leader of the Wallassa district were ambushed while returning from market in Ziguagué. The two were reportedly killed in the attack. The vigilante group following this attack expressed dissatisfaction with regards to support from the Cameroon government. They frown at government officials of not giving them essential materials needed for security. The disgruntled minds blamed the government for not prioritizing security in the area.
Earlier January 2021, an operation launched by Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) in the region saw the killing of four civilians, three Boko Haram terrorists and the capturing of two for further questioning. According to Brig. Gen. Bouba Dobekreo, a MNJTF commander, Cameroonian military attack was carried out in Kolofata which is one of the most deadly areas in the Far North region. Governor Midjiyawa Bakari told Anadolu Agency that, “three members of a vigilante committee were killed in the Mayo Moskota area early in the morning they were shot dead by Boko Haram terrorists at a security post at around 4 a.m.”.
Another attack saw the death of fourteen civilians in Mozozgo, a town in Far North region. The overnight attack left denizens fleeing. Reports says amongst the fleeing population, a suicide bomber ran with them and detonated an explosive device, killing eleven people before gunmen gunned down three others.
Since the inception of Boko Haram activities in Northern Nigeria, more than 30,000 people have been killed and nearly 3 million displaced in Nigeria, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. About 26 million people are affected in the Lake Chad region and 2.6 million others displaced because of the Boko Haram crisis. This is according to the UN Refugee Agency.
